Chapter 8: The Man Who Had Been There Before Vanessa
I called David immediately.
He answered while I was still looking at Rachel's photographs.
"Michael, what's happened?""
"Daniel Cross just came to my house with a custody document. My sister's signature was on it, but she says she never signed a custody statement.""
David went quiet.
"Daniel Cross?""
"Yes.""
"Did he say who he represented?""
"My mother and Vanessa.""
David exhaled.
"Michael, I need you to listen carefully. Daniel Cross was involved in the original dispute over Emily's estate.""
I sat down.
"What?""
"He represented a third party who challenged the beneficiary designation.""
"Who?""
"Thomas Bennett.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Emily's brother?""
"Yes.""
I couldn't understand it.
"Why would Thomas challenge his own sister's arrangements for her son?""
"That's something we need to establish. But I found another issue. The account transfer wasn't a simple withdrawal. Someone submitted a request to change the authorized financial representative.""
"Who?""
"Your mother.""
I stood up.
"And the money?""
"Some transfers went to an account belonging to Vanessa. Others went to a company registered under a name I haven't verified yet.""
I stared at the wall.
"Can we get the money back?""
"Possibly. But first we need the complete transaction history and evidence of who authorized the transfers.""
I looked at the clock.
It was almost nine.
"I want to see the bank tomorrow.""
"I'll arrange it.""
After ending the call, I went upstairs and packed a small bag for Caleb.
His pajamas.
His favorite dinosaur.
His toothbrush.
A photograph of Emily that he liked keeping beside his bed.
I placed everything in a backpack.
Then I called Rachel.
"How is he?""
"He's watching a movie. He asked whether you were coming.""
"I'll be there soon.""
"Michael?""
"Yes?""
"Don't let them take him.""
I closed my eyes.
"They won't.""
At Rachel's apartment, Caleb was sitting on the carpet with a bowl of popcorn.
When he saw me, he jumped up.
"Daddy!""
I knelt and hugged him.
He held me tightly.
"Are we going home?""
"Not tonight, buddy. We're going to stay somewhere safe while Daddy sorts some things out.""
He looked worried.
"Did I do something wrong?""
I pulled back.
"No. Why would you think that?""
"Because everybody is talking about me.""
My throat tightened.
I brushed his hair away from his forehead.
"Listen to me, Caleb. None of this is your fault. Not one little bit.""
He nodded, but his eyes remained uncertain.
Rachel approached carrying a folder.
"I printed everything I found.""
We sat at her kitchen table.
She showed me the bank documents.
There were several transfers, each dated within days of Emily's death.
The first was for $20,000.
The second was for $12,500.
The final one was for $74,500.
I noticed something strange.
The transfers weren't made to Vanessa's personal account directly.
They went through a company called Bennett Family Management LLC.
"Who owns this company?"" I asked.
Rachel turned the page.
"Your mother.""
I stared at the document.
My mother had created a company using our family name.
The company's mailing address was a commercial office building in downtown Atlanta.
I searched the address on my phone.
It was the same building where Daniel Cross maintained his law office.
I looked at Rachel.
"Did Mom tell you why she needed your signature?""
"She said Caleb's school needed updated guardianship information.""
"Did she explain the documents?""
"No. She said it was routine.""
Rachel lowered her voice.
"Michael, I need to tell you something else.""
I looked up.
"Go ahead.""
"Mom called me last week. She asked whether I would be willing to take Caleb permanently if something happened to you.""
I frowned.
"What did you tell her?""
"I said I'd always take care of my nephew, but I didn't understand why she was asking.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did she mention Vanessa?""
Rachel nodded.
"She said Vanessa was having trouble managing him and that you were becoming emotionally unstable.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"Emotionally unstable?""
"She said you'd become obsessed with Emily's memory.""
I looked at Caleb.
He was playing quietly with his dinosaur, completely unaware that adults were discussing his future like a business transaction.
Rachel leaned closer.
"Michael, I think Mom has been planning this for a long time.""
I stared at the documents.
There was one final page.
A typed agreement dated four months before my marriage to Vanessa.
It contained the names Patricia Bennett, Vanessa Reed, and Daniel Cross.
But the fourth name was what made my blood run cold.
Emily Bennett.
Beside her name was a note:
Original beneficiary authorization disputed. Replacement documentation required.
I looked at the date again.
The agreement had been signed two months before Emily died.
I slowly turned toward Rachel.
"Emily knew.""
Rachel nodded.
"I think so.""
I picked up the page.
At the bottom was a handwritten message.
If anything happens to me, make sure Michael checks the original file.
The handwriting was unmistakably Emily's.
My hands began shaking.
"Where is the original file?""
Rachel searched the folder.
"I don't know.""
Then she found a small envelope tucked behind the final page.
It had been sealed with clear tape.
Written across the front were six words.
For Michael, if they try again.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a small USB drive and a photograph of Emily standing beside a man in a hospital corridor.
The man was Daniel Cross.
On the back, Emily had written a date.
The night she died.
May you like
And beneath it, one sentence:
He knows what happened to the money.
